Thursday, February 3, 2011

a book wall!

I am so excited! I have always wanted to display and store books along the wall like this. This picture inspired me. My wall is much smaller...just a space between a closet and my art room in the upstairs hall.

It started off like this. The orange paper was just to help me visualize where the shelves would go.

Let me see if I can explain...you know I am awful at the step by step part! But...it worked so nicely- I will try to explain it. I went to Lowes and got 2 long pieces of flooring (on sale!). That is the ridged wood you see in front. It was perfect because it had a little lip on top. I got those cut into 35 inch pieces (to perfectly fit in that space.) But these were not thick enough to ensure that the books would stay propped...so I also got another piece of wood cut into 35 increments to screw into the wall first. Can you see in that picture the green front flooring piece- and then the natural wood directly behind it?

Just make sure to find the studs in the wall (my electronic stud finder worked perfectly). Screw wood piece to wall with the drill, then screw on the top flooring piece.

I am sure that is as clear as mud. (if the Lowes guys and I can figure it out, you surely can!!)

I painted each shelf green to start with- took a look and that is when I knew what colors they should be :) Let's just say the green was primer (primer for my brain)

The absolute most fun thing about this project??? I can change things up whenever I want!!!

We can have an art display- or we can set up flashcards - or a special holiday book display, plates, Birthday cards.....

It has worked it's magic already- the kids have picked up books and sat down to read. It is like I can get in their brain...just by setting a book out in plain view- all of a sudden, "wow! I need to read that book!"

this is the cutest thing ever...even if one doesn't have little kids, children's books have such visual appeal. now that i have a grandson, and another on the way i get to have all these great books again.

btw, i purchased "Red Sings from Treetops" after you posted about it. i was sold at the cover, but the illustrations are wonderful!

i absolutely love this idea! i've already got the wheels going in my head for where/how/when i'm going to do this! question. when you say 35 increments (for the piece underneath the flooring piece) do you mean each piece at 35" or 35 1" pieces? It didn't make much sense to me and I am probably reading it wrong. Thanks!

Oh my gosh I love this! We just finished doing our nursery in a book theme and I'd love to eventually create a nook like this one. I put up pictures of our book nursery on my blog and I think something like this will be my next project (but not just yet, since I'm due today!). :)